2005 545i dead battery, engine malfunction

[mikedeano]

Hello,
I am new to this sight and could really use some techinal advise from anyone who may have had this problem. My 05 545i was put away for the winter. The battery was weak and I hooked up a jumper pack and the vehicle started a few minutes later. However, there is an engine lit up on the dash as well as the onboard screen stating"Engine malfunction, reduced power" Also it states there is an issue/problem with the steering control system and has a light lit on the dash. When I started and drove the vehicle a month ago and also had to jump it, there was no problem at all. The vehicle has 41,000 miles on it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks very much. Mike:

[Jeron]

I would disconnect the battery cables and touch them together for 10-15 seconds to reset everything. Isnt it under warranty?

[mikedeano]

Thank you for responding. This may sound like a very silly question, however, are you famiiar with where the battery is located? All I can see is the external positive & negative posts under the hood. From there they appear to go down behind the engine? If I do locate the battry, is simply disconnecting the positive & negative cables and touching them together for 15 seconds the best way? I know on my other vehicles I could simply disconnect the battery for 15 minutes or so and the computer would reset. Your help is greatly appreciated. Yes the vehicle is under warranty, however, the vehicle was stored in a garage a few hundred miles away from my home and trying to locate and coordinate dropping off and picking up days later will be very difficult. Thanks again.
Mike

[Jeron]

Probably in the trunk.

[Jeron]

Oh and touching them together discharges the electronics and erases stores info.

[mikedeano]

Jeron
Thank you for replying. If I touch cables together, that means I loose all stored info: memory, bluetooth, seats, etc? Can I leave an external power supply in the 12volt accessory port as some peolpe do when changing a batery so that memory is not lost? Also I do not beleive on this 05 545 tha the battery is in the trunk, I searched heavily and the owners manual states nothing of its location. I am thinking under the hood under the left cowl area, that is the only place I can trace the external positive & negative cables to. One of the sensors did correct itself after a short drive: Engine malfunction-reduced power.. seems to be ok now. The only thing left is the active steerinf sensor showing a problem now. I do appreciate your help and when I finally get this simple, yet frusterating issue resolved, you can bet there will be a battery maintainer on the vehicle anytime she sits for more than 2 weeks.
Thanks, Mike

[Gus540i]

Have you tried removing the carpeted cover from over the battery tray in the trunk? You will probably find it there, happy motoring

[Jeron]

It is going to reset lots of things but I cant say for sure which ones. Using a external power will defeat the purpose.

[mikedeano]

Thank much guys, I really appreciate all the input. After charging the battery , keeping a maintainer on the external terminals and driving the vehicle, It appears as if the beautiful machine corrected itself. Engine malfunction light went off and steering control malfunction reset itself after turning vehicle off and restarting. Hopefully all will stay well. Mike